Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. The ARLnow staff byline is used for the Morning Notes and reporting done by an editor or other member of our full-time staff.
Arlington high schools have a full week of sports ahead.
Key events include Friday night football games as well as field hockey matches, and cross country meets, as well as volleyball and soccer competitions. Teams from Washington-Liberty, Yorktown, Wakefield, and Bishop O’Connell will be in action throughout the week.
Arlington’s real estate market reflects the broader community — it’s diverse, dynamic, and never boring.
This weekend’s local open houses offer a snapshot of Arlington’s wide variety real estate offerings, from affordable condos to multi-million dollar homes. One highlight: a $2 million brick colonial with 7,200 sq. ft. of luxury living that includes dual staircases and landscaped yards.
Arlington and its surrounding areas offer a surprising variety of scenic hiking trails, from urban paths to lush wooded areas.
No matter if you’re looking for a challenging workout, beautiful views of the Potomac or just a peaceful nature walk, the trails in and around Arlington have something for every preference.
We’ve rounded up the top places for “Best Place to Hike Near Arlington” as part of our new ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
In two weeks voting will close, so don’t wait and help showcase your favorite hiking path!
Don’t forget voting for Best Ramen Spot in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote — or write in your own — before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on Arlington’s best park. The results are now official:
County Unemployment Rate Rises – Arlington’s jobless rate rose to 2.6% in August, up from 2.3% a year before, standing second lowest behind Highland County in Va. [Virginia Employment Commission]
Diesel Spill in Stream — From Arlington DES: “County staff are investigating a diesel fuel contamination of 10-15 gallons, being contained in South Four Mile Run near Bailey’s Branch Park. @ArlingtonVaFD is on the scene.” [Twitter]
Pentagon Officers Hospitalized — From Dave Statter: “@PFPAOfficial officers stopped a car heading from the Pentagon reservation on S. Fern Street to Army Navy Drive. Two officers who searched the car became lightheaded and @ArlingtonVaFD was dispatched. The initial thought was that their symptoms possibly were caused by drugs inside the car. The officers went to the hospital to be checked out.” [Twitter]
Pentagon City Foot Chase — Also from Statter: “A police foot chase and a tussle on the ground between parked cars this afternoon on S. Joyce Street at Westpost (the old Pentagon Row). @ArlingtonVaPD backup officers rushed in to help. Both the officer doing the chasing and the person arrested apparently had some minor injuries. Not clear what the initial charges were but eight out of ten times you’d be right if you guessed theft/shoplifting in that area.” [Twitter]
Police Holding Donation Drive — “ACPD’s second 2024 Essentials Drive collection event is [today] from 11AM-3PM at the Police Department (1425 N. Courthouse Road)! Drop off new, unopened toiletries and cold weather clothing items to benefit unsheltered individuals in our community as well as engage with our officers.” [Facebook]
Flyover Planned Today — From Arlington Alert: “A United States military aircraft flyover is scheduled for Friday, October 4, at 11:55 AM at @ArlingtonNatl.” [Twitter]
Flyover This Weekend — From Arlington Alert: “A United States military aircraft flyover is scheduled for Sunday, October 6, at 12:58 PM at @ArlingtonNatl.” [Twitter]
Reminder: E-CARE This Weekend — “Arlington residents can drop off old electronics, household hazardous materials and small metal items… at a biannual collection event. The Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE) will take place from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street).” [ARLnow, Arlington County]
F.C. Development Study — Next spring, the Urban Land Institute will assess development potential in Falls Church’s Gordons Road Triangle, near the West Falls Church Metro. Their study will explore public-private partnerships and strategies to integrate the area with nearby properties. [Falls Church News-Press]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high of around 76 accompanied by a gentle south wind at 3-6 mph. As the night sets in, the skies will continue to stay cloudy, with temperatures dipping to a low of about 62. [NWS]
Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high of around 76 accompanied by a gentle south wind at 3-6 mph. As the night sets in, the skies will continue to stay cloudy, with temperatures dipping to a low of about 62 and a mild south wind. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Address:3830 30th Road North Neighborhood: Bellevue Forest Type: 6 BR, 6 (+1 half) BA single-family detached — 7,007 sq. ft. Listed: $3,069,000
Noteworthy: Newly built Bellevue Forest home brings together modern luxury & prime location
Welcome to your dream home in Arlington’s coveted Bellevue Forest neighborhood!
This breathtaking contemporary residence by HR Developers seamlessly combines modern design, luxurious finishes, and an unbeatable location. Positioned just moments from parks like Zachary Taylor and Donaldson Run and within easy reach of Washington Golf & Country Club, this home provides the ideal setting for those seeking both tranquility and convenience. The home’s grand entrance sets the stage with its soaring 10-foot ceilings, impeccable white oak flooring, and abundant natural light.
The expansive main level includes a private bedroom suite, perfect for guests or multi-generational living, while an elevator shaft adds flexibility for future accessibility. A chef’s dream, the gourmet kitchen with high-end appliances opens to the family room, creating an inviting space for entertaining. Step outside to the screened-in porch with a cozy gas fireplace for year-round enjoyment.
Upstairs, retreat to the primary suite, where a private balcony offers a serene view of the lush backyard. The luxurious spa-like bathroom features dual vanities, a glass-enclosed shower, and a freestanding soaking tub, creating a true oasis. The lower level is designed for entertainment and recreation, boasting a large rec room, a wet bar, and a media room that could be converted into the ultimate golf simulator space.
Situated just minutes from Marymount University and Arlington’s best shops, dining, and entertainment, and with easy access to GW Parkway and downtown D.C., this home offers unparalleled convenience and is zoned to top-rated schools — Jamestown Elementary, Williamsburg Middle, and Yorktown High.
Joseph “Joe” Michael Giarrusso passed away on September 28th, 2024, at Fairfax Inova Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia at the age of 84 surrounded by family. Born on January 30, 1940, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Joseph Giarrusso and Eileen Lucille Sportolari.
Joe was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He attended St. Justin High School, in Mount Washington, Pittsburgh, graduating in the class of 1957. He spent his childhood playing pickup basketball in Moorefield, a city park in Brookline. He received a basketball scholarship from Duquesne University and was subsequently recruited to play at Kansas State University. At Kansas State, he was an English major. He was also class president his senior year in 1962.
F.C. Vote Count Rises — More than one in 10 Falls Church voters have cast early ballots in the Nov. 5 election, Electoral Board members learned Oct. 1. The total includes 887 who had voted in person and 201 by mail, Falls Church Registrar David Bjerke said. –Scott McCaffrey
Another Crash on Camera — From Dave Statter: “A crash a short time ago at S. 15th and S. Eads in Arlington. No serious injuries reported.” [Twitter]
Near Record Rain — “Washington’s 11 consecutive days with measurable rain is now the second-longest in history, behind only 15 in 2016… Tuesday’s drenching in the District — which amounted to 1.46 inches — pushed the 11-day total to 3.32 inches, or about 2 inches above average.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Thursday — Partly sunny skies and a high around 74 degrees are expected today, accompanied by light and variable winds. As night falls, expect a low temperature of about 62 degrees, and a gentle breeze from the south. [NWS]
Georgetown at sunset (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A 54-year-old Arlington man has been arrested and charged with five sex offenses in connection to the so-called “Georgetown cuddler” case.
Federal prosecutors and D.C. police announced the arrest today, in a string of incidents that happened more than a decade ago. Prosecutors say Ernesto Mercado is the man who broke into several homes in the Georgetown neighborhood between 2008-2012 and sexually assaulted women while they slept.
Expect partly sunny skies and a high around 74 degrees, accompanied by light and variable winds. As night falls on Thursday, the sky will transition to being partly cloudy with a low temperature of about 62 degrees, and a gentle breeze from the south. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James
Police and medics on scene of crash involving person on scooter (staff photo by James Jarvis)
A pedestrian has been struck and seriously injured at a busy Ballston area intersection.
The crash happened around 4:15 p.m. at the intersection of N. Glebe Road and N. Henderson Road. Initial reports suggest a person on a scooter was struck by the driver of a pickup truck.
Police on scene at Washington-Liberty High School in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A teacher at Washington-Liberty High School received a threat the same day articles came out accusing a faculty member there of “drilling students on anti-Israel talking points.”
The Tuesday afternoon dispatch to the school did not say which teacher received the “strong” threats via email, prompting a police response. But it happened as articles were published on the conservative news site The Daily Wire and the New York Post about W-L English teacher Shayma Al-Hanooti.
